Touch screen input method and device

ABSTRACT

A touch panel is constructed by a display/sensor unit which is slightly larger than a display screen of an LCD and a sensor unit which is projected to the outside from one side, for example, from one side on the right. A finger of the user is touched to a selection item such as desired button, icon, or the like on the display/sensor unit and vertically moved on the sensor unit. A selection display constructed by a plurality of buttons is displayed along the side of the display screen by the LCD. A button beside the finger is highlighted. When the finger is released, the highlighted button is selected. If there are no buttons adjacent to the finger, the button is not highlighted. Even if the finger is released, the state is not changed. When finger is moved to the display/sensor unit, the selection display disappears.

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.13/246,299, filed Sep. 27, 2011 which is a divisional application ofSer. No. 12/976,171 filed Dec. 22, 2010 which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 10/524,354 filed Feb. 14, 2005 which claimspriority from JP 2003-170493 filed Jun. 16, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an input apparatus with a construction in whicha touch panel is attached onto a screen of a display such as a liquidcrystal or the like and to an input method using such a kind of inputapparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Hitherto, as a digital broadcast receiver, a construction in which anauxiliary input/output apparatus having a small display is providedseparately from a display main body having a large screen and thedisplay main body and the auxiliary input/output apparatus are connectedin a wireless manner has been disclosed in JP-A-2001-2030908. Accordingto the apparatus disclosed in JP-A-2001-2030908, the auxiliaryinput/output apparatus has a construction in which a touch panel isattached onto the screen, an electronic program table is displayed onthe auxiliary input/output apparatus, and the operation to select adesired program or reserve the recording of the desired program isexecuted through the touch panel of the auxiliary input/outputapparatus.

However, in a system having the two displays as disclosed inJP-A-2001-2030908, in the case where the auxiliary input/outputapparatus has the construction of the touch panel, when broadcastcontents, Internet contents, or the like is selected and monitored bythe operation of the touch panel, the operations of two stages arenecessary. That is, when the user selects desired contents, first, heenters a menu display mode or executes the operation corresponding tothe operation for entering the menu display mode and, thereafter, heselects a source to be monitored from the menu. In this manner, theoperations of two stages are necessary until the target reaches thedesired contents.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to an input method and aninput apparatus in which in the case of inputting by using a touchpanel, the operation to display a menu and the operation to select asource to be monitored from the displayed menu can be executed at a timeand the operability is improved.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

To solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1,there is provided an input method using an input apparatus in which atouch panel is laminated onto a display screen of a display apparatus, asensor unit is formed so as to be expanded to the outside of one side ofthe display screen, an instruction according to a touching position of afinger or a touch pen onto the sensor unit is given, and a controllergenerates a control signal on the basis of the instruction, comprisingthe steps of: displaying a selection display comprising a plurality ofselection items along the side of the display screen when the finger orthe touch pen is touched to the sensor unit; instructing one of theselection items when the finger or the touch pen is moved along the sideon the sensor unit; and instructing selection of the instructedselection item when the finger or the touch pen is released from thesensor unit.

According to the invention of claim 5, there is provided an inputapparatus in which a touch panel is laminated onto a display screen of adisplay apparatus, comprising: a sensor unit formed so as to be expandedto the outside of one side of the display screen; and a controller towhich an instruction according to a touching position of a finger or atouch pen onto the sensor unit is given and which generates a controlsignal on the basis of the instruction, wherein the controller controlsthe display apparatus in such a manner that a selection displaycomprising a plurality of selection items is displayed along the side ofthe display screen when the finger or the touch pen is touched to thesensor unit and one of the selection items is instructed when the fingeror the touch pen is moved along the side on the sensor unit, and thecontroller generates the control signal to instruct selection of theinstructed selection item when the finger or the touch pen is releasedfrom the sensor unit.

According to the invention, by displaying the selection display, forexample, a menu by the touch and releasing the finger or the touch penfrom the sensor unit, one selection item, for example, a source can beselected. The display of the menu and the selection can be executed byone touching and releasing operation and the operability can beimproved. Since the selection display is displayed along the side nearthe sensor unit, the items which are instructed can be easily seen and asituation that the display screen cannot be easily seen because of theselection display can be avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system construction of an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed construction of theembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic diagrams for use in explanation of theembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for use in explanation of the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a more specific display example ofthe embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a display example corresponding toa menu selected by a menu display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a display example corresponding toa menu selected by the menu display.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display example corresponding toa menu select by the menu display.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display example corresponding toa menu selected by the menu display.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example correspondingto a menu selected by the menu display.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display example correspondingto a menu selected by the menu display.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display example correspondingto a menu selected by the menu display.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention will be described hereinbelow withreference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a whole display system to whichthe invention is applied; 2 indicates a first display unit (hereinafter,properly referred to as a primary display) having a large display panelsuch as PDP (Plasma Display Panel), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or thelike; and 3 a small secondary display (hereinafter, properly referred toas a secondary display). The secondary display 3 has a construction inwhich a touch panel is laminated onto a small LCD of, for example, 7inches, is put on a pedestal 4, and can be carried by the user asnecessary.

A video signal to be displayed is supplied to the primary display 2through a media receiver 5. The video signal is a broadcast signal orstreaming data which is distributed through the Internet. The broadcastsignal is received by an antenna 6, the streaming data is branched by aswitch 7, and they are supplied to the media receiver 5 through a LAN(Local Area Network). A personal computer 8 is connected to anotherbranch of the switch 7.

The streaming data distributed through Internet 10 is inputted to a WAN(Wide Area Network) side of a MODEM (modulator-demodulator) of an ADSL(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). The switch 7 is connected to theLAN side of a MODEM 9. The ADSL is an example of broadband connection.As another method, video contents can be received through broadbandconnection using a CATV (cable television), an FTTH (Fiber To The Home),or the like. Ordinarily, the video contents is associated with audiodata.

The media receiver 5 has two tuners to supply the reception signal toeach of the primary display 2 and the secondary display 3. The mediareceiver 5 can transmit the video signal to the secondary display 3through an access point 11 of a wireless LAN. Control data such as aremocon (remote control) signal or the like can be transmitted to theaccess point 11 from the secondary display 3 and bidirectionalcommunication can be made. For example, a wireless system of IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 can be usedand the standard of, for example, 802.11a in such a wireless system canbe used. This standard uses a frequency of 5.2 GHz and can realize atransmission speed of maximum 54 Mbps.

FIG. 2 shows, in more detail, a construction of an example of thedisplay system comprising the primary display 2 and the secondarydisplay 3. The primary display 2 has a relatively large display panel 21of, for example, 30 inches or more and its driving unit (not shown).

A main tuner 22 a and a subtuner 22 b each for receiving a terrestrialwave are included in the media receiver 5. Reference numeral 23 denotesa digital tuner for receiving BS (Broadcasting Satellite) and 110° CS(Communication Satellite). Although not shown, outputs of UHF/VHFantennas are supplied to the tuners 22 a and 22 b and an output of aparabolic antenna for receiving BS/110° CS is supplied to the digitaltuner 23. In the embodiment, the main tuner 22 a is used for the primarydisplay 2 and the subtuner 22 b is used for the secondary display 3.

The video signals of the main tuner 22 a and the subtuner 22 b aresupplied to an AV switch 24. An output video signal of the AV switch 24is inputted to an image processing unit 25 and a signal processing unit32. The image processing unit 25 executes image processes for improvingpicture quality such as a process to further raise resolution and thelike.

An output signal of the image processing unit 25 is inputted to thedisplay panel 21 of the primary display 2 through a DVI (Digital VisualInterface) 26 as a display interface. Although not shown, a picturequality adjusting circuit of the display panel 21 is provided at thefront stage of the DVI 26. Further, in the case of supplying the digitalvideo signal to the display panel 21, a copy prevention signal toprevent an illegal copy of the broadcast contents is also outputted. Forexample, HDCP (High bandwidth Digital Content Protection) can be used.

An output signal of the digital tuner 23 is inputted to a video decoder27. For example, decoding by MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase2) is executed by the video decoder 27. An HD (High Definition) videosignal from the video decoder 27 is supplied to the image processingunit 25 and inputted to the display panel 21 through the DVI 26.

The video decoder 27 has a function for outputting an SD (StandardDefinition) video signal, for example, 480I (interlace signal in whichthe number of lines is equal to 480) to the signal processing unit 32.Reference numeral 28 denotes a system controller for controlling theoperations of the primary display 2 and the media receiver 5 and thecontroller 28 is constructed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Forexample, the system controller 28 controls station selecting states ofthe main tuner 22 a and the subtuner 22 b.

The streaming data and the data of Homepage which were received throughthe Internet are supplied to the signal processing unit 32 through a LAN31. In the signal processing unit 32, two DSPs (Digital SignalProcessors) 33 and 34 are connected to a bus such as PCI (PeripheralComponent Interconnect) 35 and a controller 36 comprising a CPU isconnected to the PCI 35 through a bridge 37.

The signal processing unit 32 decodes the inputted streaming data. Thedecoded video signal is supplied to the image processing unit 25 anddisplayed by the primary display 2. Therefore, the broadcast signal fromeach of the main tuner 22 a and the digital tuner 23 can be displayed onthe primary display 2 and the contents received through the Internet canalso be displayed.

The signal processing unit 32 encrypts the video signals from thesubtuner 22 b and the digital tuner 23, further, converts the encryptedvideo signals into a format in which they can be transmitted in awireless manner, and sends the converted signals to the secondarydisplay 3 through the access point 11. The contents such as streamingdata received through the Internet and the like are sent to thesecondary display 3 through the access point 11 without being decoded.On the other hand, the signal processing unit 32 processes the controlsignal such as a remocon signal or the like from the secondary display 3which was received by the access point 11 and sends it to the systemcontroller 28.

The secondary display 3 has a transceiver 41 for making wirelesscommunication with the access point 11. A signal processing unit 42 isconnected to the transceiver 41. In the signal processing unit 42, asystem controller 43 to control the operation of the secondary display 3and a DSP 44 are connected through PCI 45.

A display panel, for example, an LCD 46, a transparent touch panel 47laminated on the display screen of the LCD 46, a speaker 48, and amemory card 49 are connected to the signal processing unit 42. Further,a battery 50 as a power source is provided. The battery 50 is enclosedin, for example, the pedestal (refer to FIG. 1). The signal processingunit 42 decodes the encrypted video signal received from the accesspoint 11, decodes the data received through the Internet, and displaysthe decoded signal onto the LCD 46. Further, the signal processing unit42 transmits a remocon signal, a command, or the like generated by theoperation of the touch panel 47 to the primary display 2 side. Moreover,the signal processing unit 42 has a function for decoding still imagedata stored in the memory card 49 and displaying it onto the LCD 46.

The operation of the foregoing display system according to theembodiment of the invention will be described hereinbelow. The analogvideo signal of a base band demodulated by the main tuner 22 a isconverted into a digital signal, subjected to the picture qualityimproving process by the image processing unit 25, subjected to aninterlace/progressive converting process, and thereafter, outputted tothe display panel 21 through the DVI 26.

A base band analog signal demodulated by the subtuner 22 b is suppliedto the signal processing unit 32, converted into a digital signal, andthereafter, compressed in a digital compression format such as MPEG2,MPEG4, or the like. The compressed video signal is subjected to anencrypting process and, thereafter, transmitted to the secondary display3 through the access point 11 by the wireless LAN. The signal issubjected to a process for decrypting the encryption and a decompressingprocess by the signal processing unit 42 of the secondary display 3 anddisplayed by the LCD 46.

In the case where the input source is a digital broadcast signal, thedigital broadcast signal is inputted to the digital tuner 23 anddemodulated by a digital front-end block of the digital tuner 23. Afterthat, the digital video signal is decoded by the video decoder 27. Thedigital video signal is displayed onto the display panel 21 through theimage processing unit 25 and the DVI 26.

The SD signal, for example, the video signal of 480I which is outputtedfrom the video decoder 27 is sent to the signal processing unit 32,compressed in a digital compression format and encrypted by the signalprocessing unit 32. The resultant signal is transmitted to the secondarydisplay 3 from the access point 11 of the wireless LAN. In the casewhere the input source is the HD signal, it is down-converted into theSD signal, for example, the video signal of 480I and, thereafter, sentto the signal processing unit 32. The down-conversion is a process forprotection of a copyright of the digital broadcast contents.

In the case where the input source is the streaming contents from theInternet, the signal inputted from the LAN 31 is subjected to astreaming decoding process in the signal processing unit 32 inaccordance with the streaming compression format and sent to the displaypanel 21 through the image processing unit 25 and the DVI 26.

In the case of displaying the streaming contents onto the secondarydisplay 3, it is not subjected to the decoding process in the signalprocessing unit 32 but is transmitted to the secondary display 3 by thewireless LAN while keeping the state where it has been compressed by thestreaming compression format. The decoding process of the streamingcompression is executed by the signal processing unit 42 of thesecondary display 3, the decoded video image is displayed by the LCD 46,and the decoded audio sound is reproduced by the speaker 48.

In the foregoing display system, the invention intends to improve thestation selecting operation of the broadcasting and a GUI (GraphicalUser Interface) at the time of selecting the contents of the Internet.That is, hitherto, in the case of operating the touch panel, when theuser selects the desired contents, first, he enters the menu displaymode or executes the operation corresponding to such an operation and,thereafter, he further selects the source to be monitored from the menu.In this manner, the operations of two stages are certainly necessaryuntil the target reaches the desired contents. By improving such adrawback, those operations can be realized by the touching and releasingoperation, that is, one operation.

An outline of the embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 3A to 3C and 4. FIG. 3A shows the touch panel 47laminated on the LCD 46 of the secondary display 3. Since the touchpanel 47 is transparent, the display image on the LCD 46 can be seenthrough the touch panel 47. As a specific structure of the touch panel47, either a pressure sensitive type in which the position where acontact pressure has been applied is detected or an electrostatic typein which the contact is detected as a change in electrostaticcapacitance can be used. Further, a touch panel of an infrared detectionsystem in which a number of sensors comprising infrared light emittingdiodes and phototransistors are provided can be also used.

Ordinarily, a size of touch panel 47 is almost equal to that of thedisplay screen of the LCD 46. In the embodiment, the size of touch panel47 is larger than that of the display screen of the LCD 46. In theexamples of FIGS. 3A to 3C, the touch panel 47 comprises: adisplay/sensor unit 51 a which is slightly larger than the displayscreen of the LCD 46; and a sensor unit 51 b which is projected to theoutside from one side, for example, from one side on the right. A finger52 of the user (a rod-shaped touch pen can be also used in place of thefinger) is touched to a selection item (item to be selected) such asdesired button, icon, or the like on the display/sensor unit 51 a andvertically moved on the sensor unit 51 b.

A selection display 53 comprising a plurality of selection items, forexample, first to fifth buttons is displayed along the side of the rightside of the display screen by the LCD 46 in accordance with theoperation of the touch panel 47. In the embodiment, a plurality ofselection displays 53 are displayed in the vertical direction inparallel with the sensor device portion 51 b.

As a construction of the touch panel 47, a construction other than thatmentioned above can be used. For example, it is also possible toconstruct in such a manner that the sensor unit is provided on theoutside of another side (left side, upper side, or lower side) of thedisplay screen of the LCD 46 and a selection display in which aplurality of selection items are arranged is displayed along suchanother side by the LCD 46. A belt-shaped touch panel can be alsopartially provided along one side of the display screen.

Since the sensor unit 51 b is provided on the outside of the displayscreen, a situation that the display screen cannot be easily seen due tothe dirt by repetitively operating the sensor unit 51 b can be avoided.Since the selection display 53 is displayed at the end of the displayscreen along the side where the sensor unit 51 b is provided, a degreeat which the display image on the LCD 46 cannot be easily seen becauseof the selection display 53 can be reduced.

In a flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 51 b is touched with thefinger 52 in step S1. Thus, the selection display 53 is displayed on thedisplay screen as shown in FIG. 3A.

In step S2, when the finger 52 is vertically moved while keeping thestate where the finger is touched onto the sensor unit 51 b, the buttonin the position of the same height as that of the finger is instructedand highlighted. The “highlight” denotes a display in which theinstructed button can be visually identified, that is, the luminance,color, reversal indication, flickering, or the like is made different.In FIG. 3A, the third button is highlighted.

In step S3, when the finger 52 is released from the sensor unit 51 b inthe state where the third button is highlighted, the third button isselected. That is, the operation to display the selection display 53 andthe operation to select a desired selection item in the selectiondisplay 53 can be executed by one touching and releasing operation.Since the third button is selected, a display screen of a lower layercorresponding to the third button is displayed by the LCD 46.

In the case where although the position of the finger 52 is on thesensor unit 51 b, there is no button beside the finger as shown in FIG.3B, the button is not highlighted. That is, when the finger is touchedto the upper or lower area out of the range where the five buttons arearranged, since there are no neighboring buttons, every button is nothighlighted. Step S4 shows the case where the finger is released fromthe sensor unit 51 b in this state. In this case, it is judged that theselecting operation has been cancelled, the processing routine isfinished, and therefore, the state does not change and the display ofthe selection display 53 is continued.

Further, when the finger 52 is moved to the display/sensor unit 51 a asshown in FIG. 3C, it is judged that the selecting operation has beencancelled, the processing routine is finished, and the display of theselection display 53 disappears. In this case, even if the finger 52 isreleased, the state is not changed.

A more specific example of the foregoing embodiment will now bedescribed. FIG. 5 shows a selection display, for example, a menu display54 which is displayed when the finger 52 is touched to the sensor unit51 b of the right side of the touch panel 47. When the finger 52 isvertically moved while keeping the state where it is touched to thesensor unit 51 b, only the menu item of almost the same height as thatof the finger 52 is highlighted. FIG. 5 shows the state where a channellist of the menu item is highlighted.

When the finger 52 is released at the position of the highlighted menuitem, this menu item is selected. A display screen of a lower layercorresponding to the selected menu item is displayed. Although not shownin FIG. 5, when the menu display 54 is displayed, the image of the LCD46 of the secondary display 3 is displayed on the display/sensor unit 51a of the touch panel 47.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a display 55 in the case where a menu item of“television channel list” is selected. Channels of the terrestrial wave,BS, CS, and inputs (Video 1 to Video 4) are displayed on the LCD 46. Adesired channel can be selected by the display/sensor unit 51 a of thetouch panel 47. The channel list of FIG. 6 is a display of the listshowing, for example, the items which are displayed on the primarydisplay 2.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display 56 in the case where a menu item of“channel list” is selected. It shows a list of the contents which can bereceived by the secondary display 3. In addition to the channels of thetelevision and the video inputs shown in FIG. 6, channels of news andthe like which are received through the Internet are displayed on theLCD 46. A desired channel can be selected by the display/sensor unit 51a of the touch panel 47.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a display 57 in the case where a menu item of“TV remocon” is selected. Buttons for remocon (remote control) aredisplayed on the display screen of the LCD 46. By pressing a desiredbutton in the display/sensor unit 51 a of the touch panel 47, theprimary display 2 and the media receiver 5 can be controlled. Thebuttons for remocon are buttons for ten-key, increase/decrease in soundvolume, channel switching, and the like.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a display 58 in the case where a menu item of“memory stick (registered trade name)” is selected. Thumbnails of stillimages recorded in the memory card 49 are displayed on the displayscreen of the LCD 46. Nine thumbnails can be displayed at once. Thethumbnails which are displayed can be switched by vertically scrolling.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a display 59 in the case where a menu itemof “Internet” is selected. A list of titles and addresses of Homepagesregistered as “favorites” is displayed on the display screen of the LCD46. A column to input words or phrases for searching is displayed.Further, other buttons necessary to access a site through the Internetare displayed. Browsing of Homepage is ordinarily performed on thesecondary display 3.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a display 60 in the case where a menu itemof “setup” is selected. This display 60 is displayed to set theterrestrial channel. FIG. 12 shows an example of a display 61 in thecase where a menu of “setup” is selected. When the menu of the setup isselected, the displays 60 and 61 are used and the states of the primarydisplay 2 and the media receiver 5 are set.

In FIG. 12, buttons of the operations of throw, “swap”, and “catch” aredisplayed on the lower side of the display 61. Throw is a process fordisplaying the same image as that displayed on the secondary display 3onto the primary display 2. “Swap” is a process for exchanging thedisplay of the primary display 2 for the display of the secondarydisplay 3. “Catch” is a process for displaying the same image as thatdisplayed on the primary display 2 onto the secondary display 3.

Commands for executing such processes can be generated by the operationto move the finger 52 from the bottom to the top on the touch panel 47(in the case of throw′) or the operation to move the finger 52 from thetop to the bottom (in the case of “catch”) besides the operation totouch onto the buttons mentioned above. Such a changing process of thedisplay image can be realized by transmitting the commands from thesecondary display 3 to the primary display 2 side and controlling themain tuner 22 a and the subtuner 22 b by the system controller 28. Bythe control of the tuners, it is possible to execute the operation whichgives an impression as if the image were bidirectionally transmitted andreceived between the display panel 21 of the primary display 2 and theLCD 46 of the secondary display 3.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment or the like of theinvention as mentioned above but various modifications and applicationsare possible within the scope without departing from the essence of theinvention. For example, the invention can be applied to a televisionapparatus having one display or the like besides the system having theprimary display 2 and the secondary display 3.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input method using a sensor unit formed on adisplay screen, an instruction according to a touching position of afinger or a touch pen onto said sensor unit is given, and a controllergenerates a control signal on the basis of said instruction, comprisingthe steps of: displaying a selection display, comprising a plurality ofselection menu items, on said display screen; highlighting andinstructing one of said selection menu items in a position of a sameheight as that of the finger or the touch pen when the finger or thetouch pen is vertically moved while keeping a state where the finger orthe touch pen is touched onto the sensor unit; automatically selectingsaid highlighted selection menu item upon lifting the finger or thetouch pen, from constant contact with said sensor unit, in the positionof the same height as that of the position of the highlighted selectionitem; and cancelling display of the selection display when the finger orthe touch pen is slid along said sensor unit and moves off said sensorunit onto said display screen, wherein a single touch, and releasecontact operation of the finger or the touch pen with the sensor unitexecutes a combined operation (a) to highlight the selection menu itemand (b) to select the selection menu item on the selection display. 2.An input method using a sensor unit formed on a display screen, aninstruction according to a touching position of a finger or a touch penonto said sensor unit is given, and a controller generates a controlsignal on the basis of said instruction, comprising the steps of:highlighting and instructing one of plural selection menu items on aselection display in a position of a same height as that of the fingeror the touch pen when the finger or the touch pen is vertically movedwhile keeping a state where the finger or the touch pen is touched ontothe sensor unit; automatically selecting said highlighted selection menuitem upon lifting the finger or the touch pen, from constant contactwith said sensor unit, in the position of the same height as that of theposition of the highlighted selection menu item; and cancelling displayof the selection display when the linger or the touch pen is not liftedand is slid off said sensor unit onto said display screen, wherein asingle touch, and slide operation of the finger or the touch pen withthe sensor unit executes a combined operation (a) to highlight theselection menu item and (b) to cancel display of the selection display.3. An input method using a sensor unit formed on a display screen, aninstruction according to a touching position of a finger or a touch penonto said sensor unit is given, and a controller generates a controlsignal on the basis of said instruction, comprising the steps of:displaying a selection display, comprising a plurality of selection menuitems on said display screen after the finger or the touch pen initiallytouches said sensor unit; highlighting and instructing said selectionmenu items in a position of a same height as that of the finger or thetouch pen when the finger or the touch pen is vertically moved whilekeeping a state where the finger or the touch pen is touched onto thesensor unit; automatically selecting said highlighted selection menuitem upon lifting the finger or the touch pen, from constant contactwith said sensor unit after being vertically slid along said sensorunit, in the position of the same height as that of the position of thehighlighted selection menu item; and cancelling display of the selectiondisplay when the finger or the touch pen is moved off said sensor unitand onto said display screen, wherein a single touch, slide and releasecontact operation of the finger or the touch pen with the sensor unitexecutes a combined operation (a) to highlight a selection menu item and(b) to select a desired selection menu item on the selection display. 4.An input method using a sensor unit formed on a display screen, aninstruction according to a touching position of a finger or a touch penonto said sensor unit is given, and a controller generates a controlsignal on the basis of said instruction, comprising the steps of:highlighting and instructing selection menu items on a selection displayin a position of a same height as that of the finger or the touch penwhen the finger or the touch pen is vertically moved while keeping astate where the finger or the touch pen is touched onto the sensor unit;automatically selecting said highlighted selection menu item uponlifting the finger or the touch pen, constant contact with said sensorunit after being vertically slid along said sensor unit, in the positionof the same height as that of the position of the highlighted selectionmenu item; and cancelling display of the selection display when thefinger or the touch pen is moved off said sensor unit and onto saiddisplay screen, wherein a single touch, slide and release contactoperation of the finger or the touch pen with the sensor unit executes acombined operation (a) to highlight a selection menu item and (b) toselect a desired selection menu item on the selection display or tocancel display of the selection display.